It’s not too far-fetched to put it out that the Auburn Tigers may have been one of the most chaotic football programs within the 2020s. Five-consecutive losing seasons, a whole bunch of transfers and now on their third head coach since the firing of Gus Malzahn.
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Needless to say, there are many people that are hoping Alex Golesh is the head coach that will get the Tigers back on track, and those fans will get their first results of that on Saturday when Auburn hits the field in Mercedes-Benz Stadium to meet with the Baylor Bears once again.
There is seemingly a lot on the line in this game already despite the season having not even begun yet for either side. Bears Head Coach Dave Aranda is on one of the hottest seats in the country, while Golesh is striving to show the world that the Tigers are a physical and violent football team that he has said they would be since the first day on the job.
Not only that, but both programs have a new starting quarterback, with Auburn having Byrum Brown and Baylor fielding DJ Lagway, along with a host of other new players. Both arms will look to make an impact early on in the year. The Tigers sit as a 7.5-point favotire at this point in time, and kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC.
It is time for the Auburn Undercover staff to go about “Predicting the Script,” including Auburn’s showdown with Baylor, our game of the week and eight other games scattered throughout Week 1.
Auburn (-7.5) vs. Baylor
Tyler: Auburn
With a lot of new on both sides of the football for both programs something that truly sticks out about this matchup that honestly has a lot on the line for a season opener. Auburn enters Atlanta looking to make a statement in Alex Golesh’s first game and be a violent team, while Dave Aranda is effectively coaching for his job and needs a big performance from the defense in comparison to last year. Needless to say, emotions in this game will be high before the ball is even kicked for the first time.
For the Tigers, the task at hand is clear—run the football and make the Bears stop you. This is not the same Baylor defense by any stretch of the imagination, but with the talent that Auburn has in the backfield combined with the linebackers on the defensive side, if the Tigers get momentum going, this could turn into a done deal. I think it will be a tight matchup overall, but give me a turnover from the Auburn linebackers and a stout fourth quarter by Jeremiah Cobb to get the job done.
Ryan: Auburn
The Tigers won by two touchdowns a year ago on the road and they are better this season. The home crowd advantage and the program’s strengths at the two most important positions in sports—dual-threat quarterback and defensive line—will be on display as Auburn kicks off a new era.
Caleb: Auburn
This game features plenty of newness, as Alex Golesh described earlier this week. Both teams are fielding plenty of new places, coaches and coordinators.
Sure, Auburn ran all over Baylor last season. Dave Aranda enters this season with his job seemingly on the line and will be determined to open the year on a high note. There’s a former 5-star prospect lining up at quarterback for the Bears. That’s plenty of reasons why Baylor could win.
However, Atlanta might as well be Auburn north. And I fully believe that Golesh plans to run the piss out of the ball like he said in his opening press conference. Between Jeremiah Cobb and Byrum Brown, along with a defense that returns its coordinator and core of linebackers and safeties, I’m giving the advantage to Auburn.
Jay: Auburn
Auburn wins on the strength of its defense. Alex Golesh has been worried about DJ Lagway’s ability, but I think the Tigers’ linebackers are up to the challenge of stopping him. While Auburn’s defensive line may be a tad underrated, I think they will be able to get pressure and disrupt Baylor’s run game. When the Bears do pass, I think that plays into the Tigers’ hands. Auburn finally has a secondary that can be viewed as an asset. I think those guys on the back end will be up to the challenge of covering Baylor’s receivers.
Offensively, I think Byrum Brown and company do just enough. I don’t think the Tigers will be able to run the football as effectively as Golesh wants, but I think they’ll be able to have enough of a run game that will open up the passing game. Brown said he has faith in his receivers to make plays for him and they are going to have to make plays to win. I know Auburn’s offensive line has been a weak point in recent years, but I think it’s a strength this year. It may be all new guys who have never played together before, but Cole Best says communication is there and camaraderie with one another is present.
Ronnie: Auburn
Auburn’s path is straightforward: establish the run, play fast and make Byrum Brown’s legs part of the offense from the start. The Tigers ran for 307 yards against Baylor last season, and Alex Golesh has made it clear that the running game and tempo will be central to his offensive identity. If Auburn can consistently stay ahead of the chains, it should create opportunities for Brown to hit explosive plays downfield.
Defensively, the biggest key is getting off the field on third down and preventing the Bears from controlling the pace of the game. Expect some early mistakes, but the Tigers’ running game, Brown’s versatility and the energy surrounding Golesh’s debut should be enough.
GAME OF THE WEEK:
LSU (-10) vs. Clemson
Tyler: LSU
Between all the drama that has been happening for the LSU Tigers, and the naming of a new starting quarterback for Clemson in Christopher Vizzina, there is no shortage of stories to go around in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. However, what will not change is Clemson being in a raucous environment and LSU having the gutsy coaching of Lane Kiffin. I like the boys in the purple and gold to put it out with methodical play on both sides of the ball, creating a lot of pressure.
Ryan: LSU
LSU is an easy job and it has a way bigger payroll even though it is 1-5 in their last six openers. I’m still surprised they beat Clemson, who laid the biggest egg in the country last season with that roster and schedule, last year in the other Death Valley.
Caleb: LSU
This one is pretty simple for me. There’s no way Lane Kiffin opens up his tenure at LSU with a loss at home to unranked Clemson—and you can take that to the judge. Give me LSU to complete the home-and-home sweep.
Jay: Clemson
Clemson wins because of all the off-the-field stuff happening at LSU. I also think that Clemson is being overlooked and at a place where LSU doesn’t lose a lot. It seems like everything is going against Clemson and no one is really thinking it’ll win. That’s why I think it will because of all those factors.
Ronnie: LSU
Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut comes under a cloud, with the Tigers pushing to add former pro players to the roster and the controversy becoming one of college football’s biggest stories entering Week 1. Still, once the ball is kicked off, Clemson has to deal with Death Valley at night—one of the toughest draws in the sport. Clemson is good enough to make this a four-quarter game, but the combination of the environment, emotion and Kiffin’s debut gives LSU the edge. Bayou Bengals pull it out.
Other games:
Georgia Tech (-6.5) vs. Colorado - Sept. 3
Tyler: Georgia Tech
Ryan: Georgia Tech
Caleb: Georgia Tech
Jay: Georgia Tech
Ronnie: Georgia Tech
Cincinnati (-7.5) vs. Boston College
Tyler: Cincinnati
Ryan: Cincinnati
Caleb: Cincinnati
Jay: Cincinnati
Ronnie: Cincinnati
Duke (-7.5) vs. Tulane
Tyler: Duke
Ryan: Tulane
Caleb: Duke
Jay: Tulane
Ronnie: Duke
Hawai’i vs. UNLV (-3)
Tyler: UNLV
Ryan: UNLV
Caleb: UNLV
Jay: Hawai’i
Ronnie: UNLV
California vs. UCLA (-1.5)
Tyler: California
Ryan: California
Caleb: California
Jay: UCLA
Ronnie: California
Washington (-23.5) vs. Washington State - Sept. 6
Tyler: Washington
Ryan: Washington
Caleb: Washington
Jay: Washington State
Ronnie: Washington
Ole Miss (-6.5) vs. Louisville - Sept. 6 in Nashville
Tyler: Ole Miss
Ryan: Ole Miss
Caleb: Ole Miss
Jay: Ole Miss
Ronnie: Ole Miss
Florida State vs. SMU (-3) - Sept. 7
Tyler: SMU
Ryan: SMU
Caleb: SMU
Jay: SMU
Ronnie: SMU
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
